"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is a instrument for the people to restrain the government." – Patrick Henry

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Video shows men attacking religious protesters at Pridefest

SEATTLE — A protester holding a sign reading “Repent or Else” was attacked by a group of people following a loud argument during Pridefest Sunday, according to the Seattle Police Department.

Bicycle officers heard a loud debate between two groups of people near Fourth Avenue North and Broad Street but continued on their way.

According to video shot by a witness, after officers leave the crowd continues to yell at and shove two religious protesters, one of whom is holding a sign that reads “Repent or Else” and “Jesus Saves from Sin.”

At one point, the video shows a 36-year-old Marysville man taking off his shirt and threatening the sign-holding protester. The man eventually starts leaving, saying, “Cops are coming; let’s roll.”

After a group of women try unsuccessfully to steal the protester’s sign, a group of men grab onto it and pull him to the ground while the crowd applauds. That’s when the video shows the 36-year-old run back toward the fight and punch the sign-holder in the back of the head multiple times.

Officers returned to the scene after the fight was broken up and arrested the 36-year-old, who was booked into King County Jail. A 22-year-old, also from Marysville, who the video shows grabbing the protester’s sign and kicking him while on the ground was arrested and later released. Both men are facing possible misdemeanor assault charges.

UPDATE: Jason Queree, the man suspected of punching the protester multiple times, has been arrested 29 times since 1995. He has been convicted or otherwise found against for nine felonies, including forgery, stolen property, unlawful firearm possession and theft, and 12 misdemeanors, including driving with a suspended license, vehicle prowl, domestic violence, assault, DUI and criminal trespass.